The grand opening of Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa was
in the presence of His Highness Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq Al Said and over 900 guests and dignitaries.  The opening represents
the first three-hotel luxury resort for both Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts
and the country of Oman.

  “We are committed to this region and can think of no better
  location for our newest resort than in this incredible location in the
  beautiful country of Oman,” said Mr. Giovanni Angelini, chief executive
  officer and managing director of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts.
  The property comprises the Al Husn, a
  “Castle”  with 180 suites and guestrooms, Al Bandar, a “Town” with 198
  rooms and extensive meeting facilities, and the family-oriented Al Waha
  which is an “Oasis”  with 302 rooms. All 680 rooms and suites are sea-facing
  and overlook a total of 580 metres of beach.

  The resort and spa is set in 50 hectares of landscaped
  gardens approximately 40 minutes from the international airport and 20
  minutes from downtown Muscat.  Located on the bay against a
  dramatic backdrop of rugged mountains fronting the Gulf of Oman, the
  hotel provides a daily 10-minute shuttle to the nearby suburb of Ruwi,
  home of the Sultan’s palace and the “old” port of Muscat, known as
  Muttrah.

  When the separate CHI Spa Village is completed in May, the resort
  facilities will include a spa with eight large and four single private
  villas;  three fresh-water swimming pools;  19 food and beverage outlets;  extensive
  conference and meeting facilities; four tennis courts; an Omani Heritage
  Village;  an open-air amphitheatre seating up to 1,000; a dedicated
  marina and Dive Centre;  an archeological site open to visitors; a
  full-time “Turtle Ranger”;  and a myriad of water sports including
  dolphin and whale watching.

“This project represents a pioneering step in the process of laying down
  the foundations of tourism and developing Oman as a prime and distinct
  international tourist destination,”  said Mr.  Ziyad M.  Al Zubair,
  managing director of the Zubair Corporation, the resort’s developers.
  “One of the most important elements for selecting Shangri-La Hong Kong
  to operate the resort is that it attaches high importance to the human
  resource development and follows the most advanced training standards.”
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